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Chemistry A Level -

CHEMISTRY A LEVEL

AQA 7402

WHY STUDY CHEMISTRY?

If you like logical problems, and thinking hard - really using your brain - then chemistry is for you. If you want to know what makes up the world around you, you are a natural chemist. It is like seeing with new eyes all that is before you, within your food, on product labels, in cosmetics, in fuels, in the atmosphere, in the chemistry of life, and in the chemistry of the newest products.

THE A LEVEL PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Physical chemistry

· Atomic structure

· Kinetics

· Rate equations

· Amount of substance

· Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier's principle

· Equilibrium constant Kc for homogeneous systems

· Bonding

· Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

· Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

· Energetics

· Thermodynamics

· Acids and bases

Inorganic chemistry

· Periodicity

· Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

· Group 7(17), the halogens

· Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides

· Transition metals

· Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Organic chemistry

· Introduction to organic chemistry

· Alkanes

· Halogenoalkanes

· Alkenes

· Alcohols

· Organic analysis

· Optical isomerism

· Aldehydes and ketones

· Carboxylic acids and derivatives

· Aromatic chemistry

· Amines

· Polymers

· Amino acids, proteins and DNA

· Organic synthesis

· Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

· Chromatography

HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Chemistry students have gone on to study for degrees in many subjects, including the sciences, medicine, nursing and engineering.

A CURRENT STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

“In chemistry you'll explore the intriguing world of atoms and reactions. It's an incredibly rewarding and interesting course!”

- Sean Jones, Year 13

SUBJECT SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Students must have studied either: (i.) Core and Additional Science GCSEs, in which case they must have achieved at least 2 B grades in Core Science GCSE and Additional Science GCSE plus a minimum of grade 5 mathematics GCSE; or (ii.) Separate Sciences GCSEs, in which case they must have achieved at least a B grade in chemistry GCSE, plus a B grade in one other science and a grade 5 in mathematics GCSE. Grade 4 or higher is also required in English GCSE.